Brain stimulation and eating disorders

Posted onNovember 15, 2013

Many women and girls with eating disorders receive benefit from prescription drugs and behavioral therapy. However, all of us in the mental health field have seen patients that simply can’t seem to recover from the disorder no matter what treatment strategies we try.

This is why the result of new brain research is so notable.

Recently, 20 patients with severe anorexia or bulimia received targeted, noninvasive magnetic brain stimulation through a procedure called “repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS).” These were people who had already tried every possible medication and therapeutic approach (although I’d bet that most had never tried going to eating disorder 12 steps groups and working the steps with a sponsor!) The stimulation was directed toward the region of the brain involved with control of thoughts, emotions and behavior. It is this part of the brain, the frontal lobes, that is “off line” in people with active eating disorders.

The result of this directed brain stimulation was a 50 percent drop in binge eating and purging behaviors by nearly half the patients and another third saw their problems decrease by at least 80 percent. In some cases the behaviors went away altogether.

Healing this part of the brain and connecting it to other areas of the brain may prove to be the biggest benefit of this treatment modality.

This aspect of brain dysfunction in the illness is one of the key reasons why people with severe eating disorders can’t “just eat” or “just stop bingeing and purging.”

Although such research is considered preliminary, I believe this approach will eventually offer hope to many who still desperately want recovery.

Connect with us

Our Mission

SunCloud Health is a private outpatient treatment center in Northbrook, Illinois, serving patients in Chicago and the North Suburbs. The SunCloud team provides caring, individualized treatment for adults and adolescents who are dealing with substance abuse, eating disorders, mood disorders, trauma and PTSD. Our integrative approach focuses on the unique history and needs of each patient, with special emphasis on helping those who are struggling with more than one issue. We help our patients work toward sustainable, lifelong recovery within the comfort and convenience of an outpatient setting.

Hours

Call us: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week
All calls will be returned within 24 hours.
Emergencies: Please go to the nearest emergency room or dial 911
Treatment appointments: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week

Accreditations, Certifications, and Licensing

Joint Commission Behavioral Health Care Accreditation.

The Joint Commission signifies that all people always experience the safest, highest quality, best-value health care across all settings with a devotion to patient safety. The Gold Seal, is a symbol to the community and patients we serve that SunCloud Health has placed an emphasis on quality of care.